Thin Tires on a Hunqapillar

[Kevin Lindsey]

I read a piece on the Internet a couple of days ago in which the author swapped the 50-something tires on his Hunq for 38s or 40s.  He wasn't into single-tracking and was trying to make the bike into a better (read faster) commuter.  Has anyone in the Group tried the thin tire route on a Hunq and, if so, what were your impressions?
All the best,
Kevin

[Will]

I can't answer that precisely. But can get you closer. I have an Atlantis, running 44s-45s. The bike is well behaved and fast. My 559x45s roll faster than my son's 700x35s. Meaning.... when we are riding together, coasting on downslopes, I always catch him. We weigh the same (within about 5 pounds)

Both bikes are running tires with similar tread, i.e. smooth surface.

Based on Atlantis, I would not go into the 30s for a tire. I'd get something slick in the mid-40s. Kojaks come to mind. There are a number of choices. If the Hunq rides like an Atlantis, I would not hesitate to commute with it, in fact I would prefer it.

[Deacon Patrick]

One way to find out!

With abandon,

Patrick

[Garth]

You can ride any tire you want  , it's just a say 28mm tire won't be so comfy ;) .   Just because a frame can take wide tires and "most" appear to ride them means nothing .  It's your bike, your ride , your life , your joy :)

   That said, on my Bombadil I ride Vittoria Voyager Hypers in the 38/40mm width, about 39 actual on Mavic A719's.  These are a light, supple sweet riding and zippy tire.  They're like super size supple road tires .  Many here like their Compass tires also FWIW, I've not ridden them nor likely will try them any time soon .  I've grown rather fond of black sidewalls with reflector strips ! 

  If you're not familiar with the Bombadil , it's the tank before the Hunqa tank came out . ...  . lol .

[Deacon Patrick]

I forgot to add that one of my possible plans for riding up Pikes Peak is the Hunqapillar with Barlow Pass feather light tires (38mm). I expect the Hunqapiller will ride beautifully with that setup.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Marc Irwin]

I used Conti contacts and marathon
Dureme, both were 38-4mm, before switching to 50 mm Big Ben. I think the Big Ben are faster as well as more versatile. Something like a 35mm Pasela might be interesting, buyIng wouldn't want anything narrower.

Marc

[dougP]

Just an aside:  it's funny that here 38-40 mm tires are on the narrow end of the spectrum.  My Atlantis came with 35 mm Paselas, and I recall reading somewhere that the bike was designed for tires in the 35-50 mm range.  Since then, 38-40 feels like the optimal size and looks perfectly normal.  While I'm not aware of the referenced article, a lot depends on what tires are being compared, not only their size.  If the Hunq rider replaced say a 50 mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus with a 38 mm Soma C-line or one of the Compass tires, the difference would be huge in both comfort and general zippiness. 

dougP

[Jim M.]

One wheelset for my Bombadil has 650x42 Hetres and it rides great. I'm tempted to take it on a long brevet with those tires. The flexibility to use multiple tire widths is one of the great things with all of my Rivendells.

jim m

wc ca

On Friday, March 27, 2015 at 11:25:56 PM UTC-7, Kevin Lindsey wrote:

[stonehog]

Kevin - I've gone from Dureme 50s to Jack Brown 33s to Clement MSO 40s. I just built a wheel set with tubeless Thunder Burt 54s for a long gravel ride. My favorites have been the Clements (so far - no time on the Burts yet). They are light, nice on road, and have done very well on dry single track. No flats, either, but that must be attributed mostly to luck.

I went with wider tires for the upcoming ride mainly for better comfort. The Burts are a similar weight, as well, so just bonus float. I also have several other "faster" bikes if I need to feel lighter.

Thoughts on lighter Hunqapillar build found here:
http://stonehog.com/2013/01/27/lighten-it-up/

Pics of Clements:
http://stonehog.com/2013/10/16/hunqlightfilmtest/

Some may say I've gone full circle if the Burts stay on for the long term.

Brian Hanson
Seattle, WA

[stonehog]

Forgot the pic of the Thunder Burts:
https://flic.kr/p/rP6PZM

Brian Hanson
Seattle, WA

[Chris Lampe 2]

I collect certain pictures of Riv's and speaking of nobby tires, the oblique-from-the-front photo of the Hunqapillar on the blog is one of the best Riv photos I've seen.  And it even uses a threaded-to-threadless adapter!!  

[Leslie]

On Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 7:59:41 PM UTC-4, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

I collect certain pictures of Riv's and speaking of nobby tires, the oblique-from-the-front photo of the Hunqapillar on the blog is one of the best Riv photos I've seen.  And it even uses a threaded-to-threadless adapter!!  

I liked that pic, too;   did you see the early pics as I built up my Bomba?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_bright/6836831408/in/set-72157623199721925
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_bright/6982957135/in/album-72157623199721925/

I might need to pull my fenders and go back to knobbies for a bit....

[Leslie]

Must admit, I'm liking the MSO's on the Rom:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_bright/16004557507/in/set-72157623199721925

 

[Chris Lampe 2]

That's an awesome Bombadil!.   

I have a real love/hate relationship with knobby tires.  I love how they look but hate how they ride (on pavement...where 99% of my time is spent).  

[Leslie]

On Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 8:36:29 PM UTC-4, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:

That's an awesome Bombadil!.   

I have a real love/hate relationship with knobby tires.  I love how they look but hate how they ride (on pavement...where 99% of my time is spent).  

Yeah....   I'm running Rumpkins on it right now, they're good for the riding I do with it most of the time.  Rumpkins get along w/ fenders (but, I could clear the Neo's even... https://www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_bright/7501897362/in/album-72157623199721925/ ) 

The Neos were surprisingly civil on pavement for knobbies, actually....    but, on a downhill run they would sing, sounded like a Jeep.....

  

[Kevin Lindsey]

All -

Many thanks for the excellent input.  After some deliberation, I decided to mount the Schwalbe 55 cms for the initial build.  I figured that a Hunq running something narrower would sort of duplicate what I have with my Bleriot, plus I like the looks of a Hunq with big tires.  If it doesn't work out, I can always pull 'em and put the thinner stuff on. 

All the best,

Kevin